Apple's introduction of iPadOS 26.3 adds a new feature to limit how much location data a carrier can collect.

The update to iPadOS 26.3 is here, closing the latest round of developer betas. The release is now available to download to iPads that support iPadOS 26.

As usual for Apple's post-milestone releases, the number of changes to iPadOS isn't great compared to earlier updates. However, in this case, there a fairly important one for privacy.

Limited precise locations for C-series modems

Found in the betas and arriving in the release, iPads with Apple-designed C-series modems gain a new feature that will obfuscate user location data from carriers.

This isn't a feature that will be beneficial to all users, as it will be supported by only a few mobile phone networks from the outset. More carriers are expected to adopt the function in the future.

It is also a feature that will, naturally, work only with iPads with C-series cellular modems. Older iPads and Wi-Fi-only models won't benefit here.

How to update to iPadOS 26.3

A manual update to iPadOS 26.3 is available by opening the Settings app, then selecting General, followed by Software Update. If the update is available to you, it can be installed from here.

This is not needed if you have enabled Automatic Updates, available from the same Software Update options.